A longtime trainer, a new trainer and family dynamics played a big role in helping Anderson “The Spider” Silva wrap up training camp on a positive note in advance of the UFC legend’s mega fight against international superstar and undefeated boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul October 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz., in an event co-produced by Most Valuable Promotions and SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). (photos by Esther Lin)

anderson-silva (15)

To understand Silva the polished boxer, one must first understand the close-knit, experienced team that’s surrounded him throughout this training camp near his home in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., an exclusive suburb 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles, as they prepare for Paul. The YouTube personality is 5-0 and coming off a spectacular KO against another former UFC champion Tyron Woodley. 

anderson-silva (33)

Silva’s team is led by longtime head coach Luiz Carlos Dorea, who has been with Silva through 19 years of training camps. Before his split-decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the summer of 2021, Silva enlisted the services of veteran boxing coach Nico Robledo. Robledo was sidelined after a serious bout with Covid-19 that left him in a coma for three months and in the hospital for more than five months last December to the end of April.

anderson-silva (31)

Silva has been joined in camp by Eliezer Silva, who is also fighting October 29, Brazilian boxer Hebert Conceição, Robledo’s son Nico III, and even Silva’s son Kalyl. 

anderson-silva (16)

anderson-silva (22) anderson-silva (26) anderson-silva (36) anderson-silva (30) anderson-silva (38) anderson-silva (25) anderson-silva (23) anderson-silva (28) anderson-silva (21) anderson-silva (29) anderson-silva (32) anderson-silva (27) anderson-silva (35) anderson-silva (17) anderson-silva (12)_1666383998 anderson-silva (14)_1666383998 anderson-silva (37) anderson-silva (18) anderson-silva (11)_1666383998 anderson-silva (8)_1666383998 anderson-silva (7)_1666383998 anderson-silva (9)_1666383998 anderson-silva (10)_1666383998 anderson-silva (6)_1666383997 anderson-silva (5)_1666383997 anderson-silva (3)_1666383997 anderson-silva (4)_1666383997